PDA

View Full Version : Lathe suggestions?



routercnc
15-10-2015, 09:47 PM
I'm being slowly drawn into buying a metal working lathe, although I'm struggling to think of why I want it and what I'd make with it!

Anyway, enjoying doing the research, plus hope to look over the Warco lathes at the Engineering show tomorrow. Anything in particular I should ask or look at?

I'm drawn to this sort of model:
http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-lathes-metalworking-lathe-machine/17-wm-250-variable-speed-lathe.html

Or may stretch to this:
http://www.warco.co.uk/metal-lathes-metalworking-lathe-machine/303007-wm-250v-lathe.html

I've looked at the used Colchesters, Myfords etc and keep coming back to a new Warco. Possibly helped by the Warco pillar drill I bought last year which I'm really pleased with.
I also looked at the small introductory lathes at £500-£800 but have decided that I can still cut small stuff on a big lathe and that it will probably generally perform better and be a bit nicer to use.

So what sort of features do I think it should have? Well this is where I'm at:
Bench top mounted (no space for floor standing) up to 1300mm long
Reasonable quiet so I can run it without upsetting the neighbours (invertor spindle would be nice)
Swing of >240mm sounds good
Control of feed speeds slightly independent of spindle speed (i.e. A B C selector)
Thread cutting popular metric threads, plus thread dial indicator
Camlock tailstock
Spindle bore of >20mm so I can feed ballscrews through if I need to machine the ends
I'd also like to upgrade to a quick change tool post plus DROs at some point.

So there is it, any thoughts on the above? Any experiences of similar spec Warco models? Thanks

JohnHaine
15-10-2015, 11:02 PM
Thread dial indicator not much use for metric threads I think. QCTP IMHO indispensable from the start. You may get more feedback on these lathes over on the Model Engineer website where there has been a couple of threads on them.

cropwell
16-10-2015, 03:31 AM
These lathes are are basically made by Weiss Machinery in China http://www.weiss.com.cn/ and I have the 290VFF in the livery of Amadeal.

http://www.amadeal.co.uk/acatalog/AMA290VF-Bench-Lathe--11x27--Var-spd---power-crossfeed---38mm-bore-830.html#SID=5

Now I am not an expert machinist and my previous experience of owning a lathe was a Clarke CL300, so the new machine was a hell of a shift upwards. I am glad I did it, it is a great new toy.

I have fitted a QCTP and had to make a new mount for it, as the QCTP would not fit on the cross slide. It just means I have to put the cross slide back for taper turning, although I have since found a type of QCTP that would have fitted on the cross slide.

I think whoever you buy from, you have got to look at the price and service offered and I found Amadeal fitted my requirements.

Cheers,

Rob

routercnc
16-10-2015, 06:49 AM
Thanks John, Rob that's useful feedback.

I'll have a look at the model engineer website as well.

John, I thought that the thread dial indicator rotated around and told you when to engage the feed to start in the same place? If the lathe is metric with metric leadscrew wouldn't this make the indicator OK for metric thread cutting? Never done this so am not sure. Can you expand on that ?

Rob,
Thanks for the link. If these machines are all generic re-brands then I have no issues buying from Warco - previous experiences of their customer service were excellent, and I like their prices.

Edit - just gone to the Weiss website and their model names are all WMxxx (Weiss Machinery). In the Warco catalogue they are also WMxx which I assumed was Warco Machines but clearly not.

Thanks

njhussey
16-10-2015, 10:12 AM
I've got the WARCO 1322 gear head lathe in Metric and the indicator works OK on thread cutting for me so see no reason why it wouldn't on the smaller lathe? their customer service is good, had to use it a couple of times although it can be quite hard getting hold of them sometimes but then they're a small company.

routercnc
16-10-2015, 11:16 AM
Cheers Neal that's good to know.

mekanik
16-10-2015, 12:44 PM
My only advice really is make sure you get one with a separate drive shaft for the saddle and cross slide. you are better of saving wear on the leadscrew so you can produce accurate screw threads.
Regards
Mike

magicniner
16-10-2015, 02:55 PM
Go for the largest through capacity, swing and length that fits your budget which is still suitable for the projects you currently have in mind, with consideration for the fact that a cunning machinist can always do jobs which are too large for the spindle through capacity over the bed, if he has the length to work with.
Keep in mind that to "fully tool" a lathe can easily involve greater expenditure than the initial machine purchase price ;-)
Regards,
Nick

Noplace
16-10-2015, 06:48 PM
Since we are on the topic of lathes anyone familiar with this company http://www.epple.co.uk/turning-machines?zenid=d359bcn9vpc48n1qlvv0irj5b5 ? I found one local company which deals with them and might get a lathe in the future and want to know if this is a good brand?

magicniner
16-10-2015, 07:03 PM
"Epple UK, are the exclusive UK stockists and distributors for Epple Maschinen – Germany"

I've never heard of them but I've never seen poor German engineering equipment so I can't see you going wrong if they are entirely manufactured in Germany.

- Nick

cropwell
16-10-2015, 08:05 PM
These Epple machines look like Chinese machines (could they be German copies of Chinese machinery:hororr:)

Neale
16-10-2015, 08:58 PM
Not sure when "tomorrow" is (might have been today, Friday?) but if anyone is around Saturday, I'm on the SMEE stand, probably standing next to the spark eroder. I was there today as well, but no reason why anyone would have recognised me.

I was having a look at the Warco lathes myself. I bought a second-hand British "toolroom" machine a little while ago, and still wonder whether a new similar size (and similar price) Warco lathe would have been a better choice. I was more interested in the bigger floor-standing machines so can't really comment on bench-mount lathes. I would also be looking for things like imperial/metric screwcutting which might not be on everyone's list. Whatever the machine, I'd find it difficult to live without a QCTP, and now my lathe had one, DRO. Makes the whole imperial/metric issue redundant (except for screwcutting).

Thread dial indicator - my lathe has a metric leadscrew, and for the TDI to work correctly for all the threads available on the gearbox, you need three different wormwheels for it. Fortunately, my favourite threads are covered by the one on there as this is one of the few accessories missing. Imperial leadscrews and threads generally seem to work fine without this fiddly detail.

routercnc
16-10-2015, 11:11 PM
Hi Mike,
That's good info on the separate shafts, I'll see if that is available in my price range.

Hi Nick,
I'm starting to see where you are coming after today - totalled up a few goodies, QCTP, DROs, tailstock chuck, tailstock live centre, range of tools . . .it runs into hundreds of pounds. So I need to think about the whole package before I decide.

Hi Neale,
Apologies, I had to leave work very much later than planned today so it was a whistle stop tour, making sure I at least had a good look on the Warco stand, then back home again before my passout expired. I don't think I even walked around the whole show as I didn't see the spark eroder this year. So very sorry I didn't seek out the SMEE stand.


By chance I bumped into an old friend who happened to own a Warco lathe (WM240B). This is cheaper than the models I posted in post#1, is very slightly smaller, does not have the electronic variable speed (all belt changes), but in the end would probably do the same sort of jobs that I would need. So for the price of the more expensive lathe I could have this one with all the toys thrown in. In terms of thread cutting he asked whether I would really do that much and if required you can add a die holder to the tailstock if the thread is on the end of the work, which it often is. I was starting to get drawn to this 240B model then he added that he had thought about upgrading to an AC motor and invertor to get more torque when running slower. Well that feature is already on the more expensive 250V model so now I'm going back round in circles!

Time to park it for a week and let everything soak in. Big thanks to all the comments above it is very helpful.

mekanik
17-10-2015, 09:19 AM
Hi Pete
The reason i highlighted the separate feed shaft was the fact that i was in the same situation as yourself when i bought my lathe 40 year ago(strapped for cash) I bought an Elliot Emcomat7L and @ the time it cost GBHP750 which was a fair lump of cash. I have always regretted not getting the next model up that had the power feedshaft and larger capacity. to try and save wear on my leadscrew i rough a job out using the handwheel on the saddle and reserve the leadscrew for the final finishing cut. trust me this can get a bit old very quickly.One major benefit of owning a lathe is you can produce a thread of almost any diameter and pitch, external and internal.
The choice is yours but i would buy the best spec machine as previously advised and wait till you can afford the additional toys. I only got my QCT about a year ago and i am not over impressed as the tool holder overhangs the the end of the topslide adding a levering action. you can manage perfectly well without one, all you do is keep your packing with the tool so you don't have to set the hight until you do a regrind.
Regards
Mike

magicniner
17-10-2015, 11:44 AM
Don't buy lathe that isn't capable of screw cutting, you will at some point down the line regret it bitterly or have to swap.
-
Don't over-estimate the value of a gearbox, it forces you to choose metric or imperial (unless the lathe is very posh and does both), you then still have to add changewheels to cut threads in the other system and oddball pitches.
-
If your leadscrew and half-nuts are kept clean and lightly oiled wear should not be an issue, my 1950s Myford has no perceptible wear in the leadscrew and I know it saw production use before I bought it in the 1990s.
-
Power cross-feed is nice, but like any power feed it allows the novice to achieve bigger crashes, faster and doesn't make jobs much easier, neater or faster, don't ask how I learned this! ;-)
-
DROs are absolute magic on a lathe, I wouldn't go back to working without them, almost all turning jobs are quicker and easier with a DRO.
-
Don't over-value built-in motor/controller combinations fitted by the manufacturer, IMHO a good separate VFD and standard size 3-phase motor is always a better option where the power and torque can meet your needs.
You can always find a good replacement VFD second hand or off the shelf, even if your lathe model is obsolete.
-
You don't need a QCTP, but if you do have a DRO and are making a batch of parts you can set Zero 1, 2, 3, 4... for tools 1, 2, 3, 4.... and get stuck in, saves you a bunch of buggering about, but then if money is tight and/or time means nothing to you it's perfectly possible to do without a QCTP.
-
Some people will tell you that you need only inserted tooling, some people will tell you that you need only hand ground HSS, ignore them all, your needs will vary from theirs, buy what you need/is appropriate for the job in hand, you'll probably end up with a mixture of inserted, brazed tip and HSS.

Regards,
Nick

routercnc
17-10-2015, 04:17 PM
Hi Nick,Mike,

All good advice thank you, really appreciate it. The separate leadscrew m/c starts at £1850 (WM280V) and I think that would be a bit too expensive. I only get an hour or 2 in the workshop at most each week, often less, so wear probably won't be an issue.

I've had an offer from the friend I mentioned above to have a play with his WM250B but it will have to be in a couple of weeks time, so I'll do that to give me a start point.

routercnc
17-08-2016, 07:41 PM
Well I visited the Warco open day last weekend and finally ordered a lathe ! :biggrin:

I had narrowed my choices down to the WM250 (£1195) and the WM250 with invertor (£1475). I started asking a few questions and asked about the special offer on their website for one of the lathes (free extra goodies which I wanted to buy anyway). Turns out that the offer would apply to any of the lathes above, plus they would offer a show discount.

So I asked for them to be run up. The WM250 has a DC motor with variable speed control and gave a constant hum all the time which although not loud could get annoying. However the WM250 invertor had a VFD control and sounded much nicer straight away. I also asked if the invertor had terminals to allow separate control of speed, direction etc. (thinking of a future CNC conversion) and the salesman paused as I don't think he'd been asked that before. The lathes were tight against the wall so we couldn't see round the back to check.

I asked to price up the WM250 invertor lathe including the offer and discount and I got the follow list:
Lathe (with all the usual bits - 3 jaw, 4-jaw, faceplate, travelling and fixed steadies etc.) (£1475)
Live centre, set of 9off 12mm indexable tools, tailstock chuck (£113) (these were the 'free offer' bits)
DRO 2 axis read out with 500mm and 100mm scale (£280)
Nice parting off tool with insert (£33)
QCTP including small modification to make it fit (£140)

This would have been £2041, but the offer total was £1648 ! Well that was an easy one. So now I have the WM250 invertor model on order with all the above bits. This comes with the power cross feed as well, although it still only has the single main feed screw on the saddle. As I plan to CNC convert it with ballscrews at some point neither of these things matter but I suspect that will be some time away.

So I've cleared one of the benches, just need to wait for the order to arrive now (some items on back order). Meanwhile, here is the stock photo:

19044

routercnc
25-09-2016, 09:25 PM
The lathe arrived this week - hurray!

It arrived in a big wrapped wooden box:
19292

The drip tray was on top in bubble wrap:
19293

Levering off the lid revealed the well packed machine with all the accessories:
19294

19295

The invertor is behind this cover. A branded model, with a branded contactor, so bodes well:
19296
19301
19297

A look behind the end cover panel:
19298

Sensor for the rpm readout (there is a once-per rev small metal rod sticking out of the shaft):
19299
Should be quiet easy to add a multi-pulse index wheel for cnc threading (at some far distant time!)

Declared run-out not too bad (will check if this is accurate later):
19300

Started stripping off some of the parts to make it lighter and give better access to fit the DROs:
19302
19303

Started on the cross-slide DRO. A bit worried that the one supplied for this machine is 100mm travel but the cross-slide travel is about 115mm. Admittedly it probably won't go right to the back of the machine but if in the future I forget it could damage the sensor. I'll ask Warco about it this week if I get a chance. May have to limit slide travel.

I can't see any way to make the standard brackets which come with the DRO fit. The slide has to be stepped back to give access to the saddle lock cap head (and clear the gib lock bolts), be low enough to miss the top slide, and the read head has to be positioned so that it can travel the whole range. This puts it in the middle of no-where. So, made some measurements and did some CAD. Printed it out as a trial fit:
19304

Setting up some 6mm aluminium plate:
19305

Done:
19306

Light coat of Zinc spray, drilled and tapped the carriage (M4) and offered it up:
19307

Starting to dial in the read head bracket. So far looks like it needs about 0.4mm shim on the left. Note that the main body is NOT attached to the slide yet, it's just loose on the reader. Once dialled in vertically I'll do the fore/aft dial in using the slots in my bracket.
19308

This is in the same position as the Warco display model but I do need to be careful that the tailstock does not get slammed into the back of it during use. It will hit the 6mm bracket not the sensor itself but it is only secured with 2off M4 into soft cast iron so could do some damage. Maybe add a rubber bump stop on the tailstock front edge?

Thinking ahead I had a look at the longer DRO for the Z axis. Since this mounts on a non-machined surface it needs to be levelled. I was disappointed that the kit did not come with levelling blocks so I'll have to make my own.

Here is the Warco display example which uses grub screws top and bottom to dial it in:
19309
19310

Looking further ahead - I will obviously need to lift it onto the bench I also tried to feel the weight at the tailstock end and the chuck end and it is still very heavy. I had got a few friends lined up to help lift it but now I'm not so sure. Will probably hire an engine crane to be on the safe side.

Neale
25-09-2016, 09:33 PM
I note from photo 3 that they are still printing "This Way Up" arrows on the wrong face of the box...

:beer:

Jonathan
25-09-2016, 10:27 PM
A friend of mine recently got a lathe (Colchester student, model up from mine) and bought some carbide-tipped tools for it from aliexpress. I was a little hesitant, but they seem pretty good and very cheap, so you may want to consider that. It's all to easy to spend as much as the lathe cost on tooling for it, given time...

Doddy
26-09-2016, 06:56 AM
Looking further ahead - I will obviously need to lift it onto the bench I also tried to feel the weight at the tailstock end and the chuck end and it is still very heavy. I had got a few friends lined up to help lift it but now I'm not so sure. Will probably hire an engine crane to be on the safe side.

When faced with the similar problem (Myford ML7) I bought a couple of block-and-tackle pulleys from Amazon for ~£5 each and hung them from some 4x2 across the eaves of the shed. Not claiming it was the best* way, but it got me out of a pinch.


* Nor the worst - that'd be my lifting of an air conditioning unit 10ft off the deck using a ladder-against-the-wall, some rope, a load of buckets and a hose-pipe.

routercnc
26-09-2016, 07:15 AM
Hi Jonathon,
Thanks for the info. I've actually got a set of carbide tools on back order. It was a set of 9? for ~£52 but they came 'free' as part of the Warco lathe bundle, along with bits I was going to buy anyway. I also bought a nice cut off tool for about £30.
Should get me started but I'll look into Aliexpress as well once I know what I really need for tooling.

Hi Doddy,
Sounds like an interesting way to do it! My garage is part of the house so wouldn't want to put load on the first floor joists. I had a look at crane hire and there is a hire place about 2 miles from me at £35 for one day for a 1 tonne engine crane. If this includes delivery (not clear on the website) I'll go for that.

routercnc
09-10-2016, 05:46 PM
Well I had lots of problems trying to dial in the bracket using shims. Eventually realised that I'd counterbored the bolt holes quite deep leaving only a bit of material at the bottom of the hole and every time I tightened the bolts it was extruding aluminium out of the bottom surface - this varied the height each time!

Anyway, I started again and made up a new bracket. This time it had 4 grub screws to do the levelling and shallow counterbores with smaller holes. I wanted to get each side of bolts and grub screws in a line, but there was not enough space. So I had to offset them a bit. Before levelling I ran an end mill down the grub screw holes to clear the paint off the cross slide to make sure they were biting onto the metal, not the soft paint.

Didn't take too long to dial in left to right:
19401

19402

Instructions say within 0.1 mm - I managed to get 0.01mm so OK there. Then dialled it in front to back.

At this point I realised there was another problem. The slide I'd been supplied had a travel of 100 mm but the cross slide travel was 115 mm. Although I might not use all the travel, it bothered me that at some point in the future I might damage the read head. I phoned Warco and they did say this was the model they fitted to this lathe. I mentioned that I'd be happier with the 150 mm travel model, even if the scale stuck out the back ~30mm and they were OK to swap it (just £5 more). I should get that next week so I stopped that job.

The longer slide was next. I made some brackets with grub screw levellers in:
19403

19404

Clearing the paint with an end mill:
19405

19406

19407

After ALOT of messing about, clamping, adjusting, shimming I managed to get the other end pretty close to level then drilled the tapped hole. Once this was bolted I set about dialling the scale in vertically (slots in scale ends) and fore/aft (grub screws):

19408

19409

I'm thinking about using a cable guide for the 2 cables. I don't like the idea of them being loose and getting caught in a bird's nest and pulled into the chuck, or sliding around on the drip tray.

19410

Now for the drop link bracket:
19411

Last part to make will be a space block between this drop bracket and the read head. I measured 6.86 mm gap so I'll machine something to suit. I think there is a tolerance fore/aft on the read head so as long as it sits somewhere in the middle of the channel on the scale it should be OK.
19412

Then I'll tackle the cable guide shelf and start routing the cables off to the tail stock end and behind the splash guard up to the read out. This will mount somewhere up on the left side near the motor controls.

routercnc
01-11-2016, 10:20 PM
Finally finished both DROs at last!

Z axis
Here is the spacer plate between the drop down bracket and the read head. This needs to be reasonably accurate in thickness to put the read head in about the right place on the scale:
19525

Checking to see if it would work - also to see if the numbers went the right way (positive to the right). It wasn't obvious which way round the read head should go and there was no mention of anything in the instructions for the scales:
19526
19527

Bump-stop to bump-stop is a bit less than the quoted travel (450 mm) unless you angled the top slide round and included that as well(~70mm), otherwise all good.

I'll stop briefly here to point out that initially I was uncertain about fitting DROs given that it is likely to go CNC in the future. However I'm glad I did because the handwheel graduations on Z are not something logical like 10 lines of 0.1mm (giving 1mm per big number). No, they are 10 lines of 0.25mm, which means each big number is 2.5mm. I guess they are trying to get a metric-ish imperial system. The X axis cross-slide had a different number but was also not 0.1mm per line. Can safely ignore all that.

Back to the Z axis DRO. I added a 60mm x 60mm x 3mm aluminium angle bracket to run the energy chain in. This bolted to the holes used to fix an optional mill head attachment.

19528

19529

Note that I had to cut the energy chain open to lay the cables in as it was not the type with slots in. I couldn't feed the cable through as the connectors on the end were too big.

I think the angle bracket shelf will attract swarf etc. so thinking about a plastic curtain arrangement of some kind hanging off the top of the saddle. Not decided yet.

X axis
I wasn't happy with the original 100mm scale so swapped it for the 150mm model. This hangs out the back a bit so needed a bracket making:
19530

19531

19532

Seemed to have made a Minion!
19533
19540

Here it is fitted:
19534

The other end was just a simple round spacer tube.

Dialling it in:
19535
In this shot you can also see I swapped out the cross slide locking bolt from a cap head to a hex head, otherwise I wouldn't be able to use it. May swap the gib bolts in the future too.

Last bit to do was fit the splash cover. After looking at lots of options I decided to go for a bracket off the back of the scale. Here roughing a pair out of a bit of box section:
19536

Done:
19537

19538

19539

I'll leave fitting the display readout until the lathe is set up on the bench - hope to do that this weekend.

cropwell
02-11-2016, 12:53 PM
It is interesting to see how you have done this, as I have the Sino DRO as a factory fitted option to my Amadeal 290-VFF.


I notice that the bracket on the cross slide will limit the tailstock. On my machine the read head is fitted into the recess of the saddle. This means that the tailstock can get closer to the chuck (only about 10mm further away than without the DRO). I seem to do a lot of centre drilling of short pieces, and I prefer to do it with as little stick out of the quill as possible.


Here are a few pictures to show you what I mean.

1954119542195431954419545



You may note that the cap-head screw that stops the tailstock smashing the DRO scale is bent and needs replacing. Also the gib screws are not accessible with a hex key and the cross slide lock can't be used. If I need to adjust the gib or lock the cross slide the easy answer would be to replace these with hex head screws, then you could just pop a spanner on them.


I think the spacers that the factory fitted are a bit naff and would look better as a single piece. I may make something better if I ever dismantle the DRO fitting. The other thing I would do is tidy up the cable routing and use P clips rather than cable ties.

As a last note - the red things are plugs in the T slots to stop coolant pissing over the apron and onto the floor and/or me. They are only red 'cos that's the colour ink I had in the 3D printer.



Cheers,


Rob

routercnc
02-11-2016, 09:42 PM
Hi Rob,

Cheers for that. Yes, I looked at different ways to mount the cross slide read head because I didn't want to lose tail-stock travel, plus was worried about it smashing into the DRO. I tried to fit it as yours is to get more travel but it wouldn't fit. I can't remember if it hit the gib lock screws, or it didn't allow enough cross-slide travel. Maybe I'll look again in the future now I have the extra 150mm version.

I also looked at adding a hard bump stop strip behind the DRO (to do the same job as your 'bent' screw) but it was all getting complicated. At the moment it will hit the plate that the read head sits on, which will probably put it out of alignment if it is hit hard enough.

Some lathes have the gib screws on the head stock side, which would make this installation much more compact/safe.

I'm thinking of leaving it for now, getting it set up and levelled, then having another go in the future once I've tried it all and looked at what tailstock travel I have / need . . . watch it be like this for years!

routercnc
13-11-2016, 04:45 PM
Lathe is bolted to bench, cleaned, ways oiled, QCTP fitted etc. and I've made my first part!
19602

Made an adapter to connect DTI to adjustable holder:
19603

Question on DROs - my X axis reads in radius which is less convenient as I always think of round parts in diameters.

19600

The instructions that come with it suggest it can switch between R and D by pressing X and then 1/2 button. A symbol should appear in the display |`/. However, symbol does not appear and it remains in radius mode and just halves the readout value.

The instructions also say "When the DRO is set as a lathe meter . . ." - not sure how to do this. Is this the problem? It also says applies to D60-2L and D60-3L models. Pretty sure mine has an M at the end not L (it only briefly appears on the screen on startup, and the rest of the display is branded as Warco, no model number).

I'm hoping this function is possible - I'd be disappointed if Warco supplied this 2 line read out display (which can only be for lathes can't it?) and it does not have this function.

Any one help with this? I'll give Warco a call this week.


Second question is about the QCTP. I've adjust the tool to the centre height of the work but every time the cam is operated the thumb wheel can easily turn, altering the height. Should it come with a locknut under the thumb wheel or I am using it wrong?

19601

njhussey
13-11-2016, 04:49 PM
Different DRO than mine from Warco so can't help there (not looked into functions much anyway 😳)
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161113/8916224e2545967ec9c70c4bdf676a99.jpg

My quick change holders have locknuts on top of the knurled discs to stop them moving...
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161113/6f769931e3dcc1e4e86ca9c314922ef5.jpg

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

routercnc
13-11-2016, 05:09 PM
Cheers Neil

I'll add locknuts to my tool holder then

Your DRO has a large R button maybe that does R/D? Don't have that on mine so hope there is another way.

njhussey
13-11-2016, 05:21 PM
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161113/0dfdb0d185fa1293cc56fd558bf88176.jpg

Maybe I should read this?! This is the page from mine about RAD/DIA

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161113/8264473281dd454990a38c0b6f5fb176.jpg

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L31 using Tapatalk

cropwell
13-11-2016, 05:31 PM
Hi,

I have the Sino SDS6-2V DRO so I cannot comment on the one you have, but on my DRO the 'Lathe Mode' is set up by interrupting the switch-on self check and after aload of 'enter' down arrow key presses, you can choose the machine type. Then, I believe the 1/2 button will work. It does for me ! I am only reading through the handbook.

I would go and check it, but I am currently confined to barracks with a shoulder injury.

R

mekanik
13-11-2016, 05:36 PM
On my QC Toolpost the knurled hieght adjustment knob is through tapped and has a grub screw in it, you adjust the hieght and turn the grub screw to lock it, it's not very elegant but it works.
Regards
Mijke

Clive S
13-11-2016, 05:43 PM
Second question is about the QCTP. I've adjust the tool to the centre height of the work but every time the cam is operated the thumb wheel can easily turn, altering the height. Should it come with a locknut under the thumb wheel or I am using it wrong?

I think you need to put a bolt down the centre of the knurled bit to lock it

edit Mike beat me to it:thumsup:

routercnc
13-11-2016, 06:06 PM
I think you need to put a bolt down the centre of the knurled bit to lock it

edit Mike beat me to it:thumsup:

Thanks Clive / Mekanik - I was wondering what to do with those to cap head bolts that came with it !:shame: Obvious now you pointed it out

Thanks Cropwell - I've seen mention of the boot up menu in the destructions and was starting to wonder about that. Seems that is the next thing to try.

routercnc
14-11-2016, 08:17 PM
Good news - sorted the radius to diameter reading on the X axis!

Thanks Rob, it was basically along the lines you suggested. Needed to press 'in/mm' when powering up. This takes into display configuration mode where you can use the <- -> arrows to choose lathe, mill etc. In my case D60-2L. It talks about pressing '1' but I didn't do this and it still offered me the config types. Might be that is to move between axes (X or Z) to specify which axis gets which configuration??
19615

Then press '.' to save and exit.
19616

That seemed to be it so to check it out I put a dial indicator onthe cross slide, zeroed the DRO readout then moved 0.5 mm as indicated on the DTI. DRO display read 1.0 mm hence was reading diameter not radius.

Also note the little |`/ symbol next to ABS meaning diameter:
19617

19618

Happy days.

Journeyman
15-11-2016, 11:32 AM
Deleted question already answered.:apologetic:

routercnc
16-12-2017, 07:55 PM
Well I've had this lathe for just over a year and couldn't be happier with it. DROs have been faultless and were well worth fitting.

Only thing bothering me on the lathe is that the carriage has a very slow oil leak. After a year of ownership it stopped dripping about 2 months ago, and the oil sight glass showed it was empty. I bought some more oil at a recent show and have finally got around to trying to fix it.

First problem was that access to the oil plug was quite tight - not enough space for a hex key. Thought about grinding one down, then decided to make a tool. I had a round aluminium bar with a hex shape on it (from another job) and machined a small hex on the top:

23415

Then held the larger end with an adjustable spanner:
23416

And into the oil grub screw:
23417

Last bit of oil came out . . . .
23418

Along with some free grit presumably from the casting . . .
23419

Cleaned it up, put around 5 rounds of PTFE tape on and tightened it up.
23420

Filled up with fresh oil and . . . . .
. . . it still drips (slowly)!

I might not get on this again until next week end but anyone else had this problem? More PTFE or am I missing something?

Neale
16-12-2017, 11:39 PM
I would normally expect to see a head with a machined seating which bears on a matching machined flat on the bottom of the carriage, plus fibre washer. Clearly here they seem to expect the threads to seal. If PTFE does not do the job, then it might be worth trying Loctite 55. I've had a lot of success with that on household plumbing - typically the screwed fittings that go into the bottom of radiators that also rely on the threads sealing. I've had first-time success with every one of those, where using PTFE has been less reliable. Might be my technique, but I'm sold on the stuff. Can't see that it says anywhere that it's good for oil - just potable water and LPG - but I would probably give it a go.

Out of curiosity, what oil are you using?

magicniner
16-12-2017, 11:47 PM
The oil is coming out where shafts run from inside to outside, not at the plug ;-)

cropwell
17-12-2017, 12:59 AM
I was curious about this drain plug, I couldn't find it on the parts diagram, so I went and had a look at my 290 and it has not got one, but the shafts are oily as Nick suggested. I am not concerned, the sight glass is half way, and soon my shot glass will be full again :drunk:

Cheers,

Rob

routercnc
17-12-2017, 09:37 AM
Hi Neil

Some good suggestions there. Machined surface with fibre makes a lot more sense and I could make something if all else fails. I'll try a bit more PTFE then look into the locktight.
Oil is what Warco recommend for their headstock and cross slide. Have a look in their website as there is only one.

Nick
Pretty sure it is dripping out the plug. The front face where the shafts exit is bone dry. Underneath there were lots of drips gathered around the plug. But I'll double check.

Rob
Strange how your lathe does not have a drain plug. Mine has a similar plug on the upper left side of the carriage to fill the oil and a sight glass on the lower right side. It has power feed and power cross slide.

Thanks all

cropwell
17-12-2017, 11:40 AM
My lathe is in bits at the moment (not completely). I had a loud constant screeching noise coming from the motor area, which I assumed was the bearing on the cooling fan.

So I decided to replace it.
To do that I had to get behind the motor,
to get behind the motor I had to take the motor off the mounting studs,
to get to the mounting studs I had to take off the electrical box and lift the lathe off the swarf tray by about 100mm.

I also found that the VFD mounting lugs had broken and the thing was hanging on it's wires. So I have 3d printed new mountings and araldited them to the VFD case.

This is where I am now, waiting to reassemble. I have a new cooling fan despite the old one working perfectly once out and on the bench. (it must have been swarf in it).

I have some 100x50x5 box section and my intention is to make some raising blocks to lift the machine 100mm from the swarf tray to allow me easier access for swarf removal (and repairs if necessary). It also puts the centres of the machine at a better height for me.

I am just waiting for my persistent cold to subside and my arthritis to ease to put it all back together, I can't face a cold workshop at the moment:dejection:.

magicniner
17-12-2017, 07:03 PM
Nick
Pretty sure it is dripping out the plug. The front face where the shafts exit is bone dry. Underneath there were lots of drips gathered around the plug. But I'll double check.


Make a plug with a shoulder and use a Dowty Washer/Seal, job done! :D
Regards,
Nick

cropwell
17-12-2017, 07:21 PM
You could try a copper or aluminium washer, or solder a steel washer on the shoulder and use an O ring.

magicniner
17-12-2017, 08:48 PM
FFS, Dowty Seals cost pennies!

23424

Why would you bugger about with something else?

routercnc
17-12-2017, 09:02 PM
Nice idea Nick - added to the to-do list.
Found some M12 Dowty seals on e-bay £1.95 for 2. Need to check exact bolt size before ordering and I'll knock something up over Christmas hols.

magicniner
17-12-2017, 09:09 PM
Check your local industrial Bearing and Seal supplier, you'll probably get 10 for a fiver ;-)

routercnc
17-06-2022, 09:22 PM
I have been having a few issues with the tailstock not ejecting tools. I found the problem, but can it be improved . . . ?!


https://youtu.be/cVyUqAM5Ef8

routercnc
15-09-2022, 08:04 PM
Finally after a 6 month wait the microprocessor has arrived from TI. Time to get going on this Electronic Leadscrew Project!

Big thank you to James Clough for all the R&D and working it all out.


https://youtu.be/dcV8bzhjxlY

Modelmakerblue
18-09-2022, 10:17 AM
31241 Hi, the attached image shows my electronic lead screw project on a Warco WM290V lathe.

Hi everyone , I'm a new member just saying hello.
Tony

I have put a short video on YouTube regarding my ELS


Finally after a 6 month wait the microprocessor has arrived from TI. Time to get going on this Electronic Leadscrew Project!

Big thank you to James Clough for all the R&D and working it all out.


https://youtu.be/dcV8bzhjxlY

I have added a YouTube video showing my Warco 290V fitted with ELS
Tony

I am using a Nema 23 motor approximately 140mm long

routercnc
19-09-2022, 12:50 PM
OK, time for the electrics. Wish me luck!


https://youtu.be/6ymgcJxSw10

Lee Roberts
20-09-2022, 10:59 AM
@routercnc A member called Tony has made a few posts here on the previous page, i have merged them into one and approved them, sorry I've been a bit slow on the moderating recently.

routercnc
21-09-2022, 02:13 PM
@routercnc A member called Tony has made a few posts here on the previous page, i have merged them into one and approved them, sorry I've been a bit slow on the moderating recently.

Ok thanks Lee. Yes we had been chatting on my YT channel and he had added ELS to his Warco 290 (similar to my lathe but larger). I suggested he post pictures here and join so thanks for sorting it out.

routercnc
21-09-2022, 02:17 PM
Thanks Tony looks good. As you say it needs a hole cut in the cover but otherwise is a good option. I’ll add it to my thought process on how best to do it on my machine.

routercnc
26-09-2022, 04:20 PM
OK here is part 3. This time we get the display panel modified and installed, and machine up a custom encoder bracket.

Also, more lathe stripping and electrical improvements . . .


https://youtu.be/jM7cnhyAmME

routercnc
07-10-2022, 07:28 PM
Custom control panel . . .

https://youtu.be/Oa3KckUtKf4

Modelmakerblue
09-10-2022, 11:42 AM
31301 image with the cover on and stepper

routercnc
10-10-2022, 07:52 PM
OK looks good. My enclosure won’t fit there and will have to go on the wall off to one side. But the motor will and I’ll make a custom cover. Thanks

routercnc
16-10-2022, 12:16 PM
Making progress on the enclosure . . .


https://youtu.be/wkZe_DZwH44

routercnc
04-11-2022, 06:56 PM
More wiring . . . .!


https://youtu.be/VV6voA08J_E

routercnc
28-11-2022, 09:48 PM
Enough wiring, time for some machining . . .

https://youtu.be/gu8TruvYKoo

routercnc
15-12-2022, 12:10 PM
This week I got everything together, turned it on . . . .and damaged the encoder.

Bonus footage - inside the encoder and how it works (or should work)!


https://youtu.be/V4CPL6_BdHg

JohnHaine
17-12-2022, 03:41 PM
Looking at the website the machines look the same as the generic Sieg / Weiss products from China. Not necessarily any the worse for that but probably not made entirely or even partly in Germany. Similar machines also available (though much more limited range) from Arc Eurotrade who have an excellent reputation.

routercnc
18-12-2022, 04:56 PM
Yes these are imported by Warco from China. When I was researching these I compared the spec to Arc / Sieg and Chester and these were slightly better spec for the same money. I’ve been pleased with it over the years but that hasn’t stopped me tinkering!

routercnc
24-12-2022, 08:25 AM
More progress but still having issues with the ELS system - something still not right with the rpm signal . . .


https://youtu.be/vwIg5PyBuVY

Muzzer
24-12-2022, 12:40 PM
Bummer.

Have you got a link to the schematics? I could have a look for you to see what the encoder input circuit looks like, perhaps get an idea why it stopped working.

I'm an electronics engineer working in motor drives etc so you never know, I might spot something. Must be frustrating for you!

routercnc
25-12-2022, 12:15 PM
Spoiler alert for the next video! I've manage to get it all working by removing the encoder screen connection to ground. I had wrapped the screen around the cable where it enters the GX16 plug to ensure it was grounded (as James suggested) but it turns out the VFD noise is coming INTO the enclosure that way through the earth cable. Removing this encoder shield ground connection at the GX16 plug completely solved it.

I did look into buying more surface mount transistors but decided it was more hassle than it was worth and just bought a new one.

But since you asked it might be interesting to know if the original encoder could be saved so I've attached the schematic. It only shows the encoder output parts, not the internals. I broke it by connecting the Dupont connector backwards so the MCU pins are on the left, and the accidently reversed connector is on the right showing what went where!:

MCU pins left to right: My accidental reverse connection to:
0V_________________->A
+5V________________->B (NOK!)
index pulse Z________ ->Z
B _________________ ->+5V (NOK!)
A _________________ -> 0V

So you can see pulse B got the wrong signals and that appeared to be the most damaged channel.


Mine is not an Omron (I guess it is a clone) but it appears to match the one in the first column, 1024 P/R
https://www.ia.omron.com/products/family/488/specification.html

Encoder:
31579

Circuit:
31581

MCU:
31580

routercnc
22-01-2023, 07:33 PM
Still more issues . . . . but we got there in the end!


https://youtu.be/uSFYOwnNBL8

routercnc
22-02-2023, 07:24 PM
Something a bit different now - I've reviewed this tailstock DRO from Linn tools. Have a look and see what you think . . .


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G7QmcAqL7g

routercnc
24-12-2023, 09:14 AM
I had someone ask about the encoder bracket since they have a similar lathe. The Fusion360 file is here for those interested (unzip it first):

32061

32060

magicniner
24-12-2023, 04:17 PM
Those Digital Scales don't have a fraction of the service life of a proper DRO and linear encoder, I have a DRO from Machine DRO on my Myford Super7 that's given around 20 years of always on service so far.

routercnc
29-12-2023, 11:15 AM
Those Digital Scales don't have a fraction of the service life of a proper DRO and linear encoder, I have a DRO from Machine DRO on my Myford Super7 that's given around 20 years of always on service so far.

You could be right so I’ll report back any issues. So far so good though. I don’t run coolant on the lathe so maybe that helps.
I have a machineDRO branded scale on my drill press quill and that is also working well after many years.